Do you work mostly with online products or do you have a fully stocked room complete with fax machine, copier, etc.

I have a fax/copier/scanner/photo printer. I couldn't live without it.

If you work with hardware, what items do you have in your office? Which ones do you feel you just couldn't live without?

I have a MacBook Pro, a sweet PC that my husband built, my iPhone, and my Wacom tablet. I could not live without my MacBook Pro. It is my dream computer.
Number one favorite piece of equipment?

My iPhone. It saved my life!

If you work with software, what items do you have in your computer and which ones do you feel you just couldn't live without?

MS Word Mac 2004, MS Office 2007, Adobe CS3 Design Suite, Adium, Cyberduck FTP, Garage Band (for podcasts), iCal.

Number one favorite program?

The entire Adobe Suite.

How is your home office set up for ease of use and comfort? What kind of furniture, setting, plants, decorations, etc. do you surround yourself with?

My office is actually my husband's cave at the moment. I work in our breakfast nook so I can allow my daughter to play in the living room/nook while I work. I always have the TV off and quiet music playing in the background. My daughter loves classical music, so it's usually that. I actually enjoy working in the nook because it's so much brighter than the rest of our home. I need lots of light!

Do you ever meet with clients at your home office? If so, how has this impacted your business for the better or worse?

Nope. I've never met any of my clients.

Do you have a sep. phone line for your home office? If so, why do you feel this is important?

Yes I do. Cell phone service can be so hit-and-miss. I'd rather not lose an important call!

Do you have set office hours? If so, how did you decide what they would be and how do you ensure you and others maintain/respect them?

I don't. I work around my daughter's schedule. I limited my hours per week so I don't have to worry too much about someone stepping over the boundaries.

What do you most love about your home office?

I love the windows and warm light in my nook. It's very inspiring.

What do you like least about it?

The fact that it's a nook and not an actual office! I'll have to wait until we finish our remodel to get my own office. My husband works from home as well.

If you could suggest to a new VA how he or she might best utilize space at home to create a home office, what would your top three suggested guidelines be?

I would say create lighting conditions that are conducive to productivity. This is can be different for everyone. For me, it's warm light.

I would also suggest a desk with a return. In my husband's office, this allows me to work on the computer and still have adequate writing space for paper projects.

If you have children, a great way to incorporate them into your day is to provide a space where they can "work" with you. My little girl has her books and magnetic tablet so she can work alongside me.

Brianna